Azeem Rafiq is a British Asian cricketer who played professionally for Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC), Derbyshire County Cricket Club, and Lincolnshire County Cricket Club, making his senior debut at the age of just 17 and captained the England under-15 and under-19 sides. In 2012, he became the youngest man... Read more
“I lost my son and then my career” - Azeem Rafiq's cricket racism nightmare
Azeem Rafiq responds to racism charge dropped against Michael Vaughan
Azeem Rafiq is a British Asian cricketer who played professionally for Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC), Derbyshire County Cricket Club, and Lincolnshire County Cricket Club, making his senior debut at the age of just 17 and captained the England under-15 and under-19 sides. In 2012, he became the youngest man to captain a Yorkshire side as well as the first person of Asian origin to do so.
In 2018, Azeem’s world changed forever. He lost his baby son, and soon after he also lost the career that he had worked his entire life for. While at YCCC, Azeem suffered racism and bullying and it took him many years to fully understand the impact of his suffering, particularly his treatment by the club during a very difficult time. In 2020, he spoke out about the discrimination that not only he faced but discrimination across the game and took legal action against the club hoping to create change across the sport.
His brave actions forced an overhaul of the toxic culture and behaviour both present at YCCC and in the sport more widely. As a consequence, several other cricketers have felt empowered to come forward with their experiences of discrimination. Azeem hopes that future generations of aspiring cricketers will be able to play the game they love without fear of humiliation. Recently, a Cricket Discipline Commission proved charges Azeem led and have brought the game into disrepute through their clear use of racist and discriminatory language. For Azeem, this experience was about confronting the institutionalised racism that’s been going on for decades in English Cricket and starting to promote change in a community that is very naïve and hesitant to change.
Azeem is keen to use his experience to help society to understand the lived experience and impact of conscious and unconscious bias, as well as having a renewed purpose and mission to campaign for a meaningful change in global sport. In 2024, Azeem entered a new and exciting chapter in his life, becoming an author. His book “It’s Not Banter, It’s Racism: What Cricket’s Dirty Secret Reveals About Our Society” was released in June, with a documentary to follow.
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You can book Azeem Rafiq through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Azeem's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Azeem Rafiq's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Azeem tailored to your event.
Azeem Rafiq speaks on Business & Management, Diversity, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Azeem to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Azeem Rafiq for events worldwide, subject to Azeem's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Azeem Rafiq is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Azeem can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Azeem Rafiq on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Azeem can offer.
Azeem Rafiq delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Azeem Rafiq's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Diversity, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health. To get a clear sense of Azeem's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Azeem Rafiq can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Diversity, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health is relevant. Details of Azeem's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Azeem Rafiq is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Azeem Rafiq, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Azeem's current availability for your dates.